2024 Olympia Champion Phu Duc: ‘Persistence and Smart Strategy Led Me to Victory’

Vo Quang Phu Duc, a math major from Quoc Hoc Hue Specialized High School in Thua Thien-Hue, stood out in each round with his extensive knowledge and confident demeanor, beating his opponents to become the 2024 Olympia champion. As he donned the laurel wreath in his crowning moment, the joy and pride on his face were evident.

In a post-victory interview, Phu Duc shared that his key to winning was a combination of perseverance and a well-thought-out strategy.

When asked about the most nerve-wracking moment in the final, Phu Duc said, “I felt the most tension when Nguyen Phu was only 20 points behind me. It reminded me of a similar scenario in the third quarterly match, where my strategy was to build a strong lead in the first three rounds. However, in that match, I changed a correct answer to a wrong one in the final round. Looking back, I think if I hadn’t made that switch, the game wouldn’t have been as thrilling. It’s the emotions that make the game exciting (laughs).”

One of the pivotal moments leading to Phu Duc’s victory was his early and quick  response to the overcome obstacle question, ringing the bell to answer with impressive speed. Many spectators wondered if this was a risky move. When asked, Phu Duc explained that his decision was not spontaneous but rather a calculated move.

“Before the finals, I had considered the possibility that the answer to the overcome obstacle question might be a seven-letter word. I had three possible answers in mind: ‘netzero,’ ‘unity,’ and a concept related to ‘support,’” Phu Duc recalled. “After the first clue was revealed, I immediately discarded ‘unity’ and ‘support,’ leaving ‘netzero’ as the most likely answer.”

Even though he had settled on an answer, Phu Duc knew it was a high-stakes decision. “Just seconds before ringing the bell, I realized how risky this decision was. In a final match, ringing the bell on the first clue meant a high chance of getting it wrong, which would cost me a big advantage. But if I was right, it would give me a valuable lead over my  opponents.” After weighing his options, Phu Duc decided to trust his instincts and ring the bell.

Before the finals, Phu Duc mentioned to the press that he wasn't feeling very  confident and had taken up meditation to help manage his emotions. Phu Duc explained, “Meditation helped me keep my facial expressions neutral under the pressure of the media and the audience. This helped me build up a substantial lead in the obstacle round, which was crucial.”

Though he competed with confidence and clear strategy, Phu Duc admitted, “The night before the finals, I had a trouble sleeping. However, after listening to songs by Hoang Dung and Phuong My Chi, I felt more at ease. When the time came   to ring the bell for the obstacle round, I wasn’t too worried because, after all, this was the final match, so I decided to give it my all.”

Vo Quang Phu Duc’s journey to conquer Olympia is not only a tale of intellect but also a testament to persistence, determination, and resilience. His victory brought pride to his family, his school, and the province of Thua Thien-Hue. Phu Duc has left a lasting impression on the audience, inspiring future generations to pursue learning with passion.

Thaco-Truong Hai Auto Corporation was a sponsor and supporter of the final match.